1997 Ford Contour problems

Filed Feb 6, 2013 · Engine · 134,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact personally performed a diagnostic. The contact replaced the timing belt, serpentine belt, water pump, fuel injector, and pulleys. The failure continued after the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. Updated 2/21/13 *cn status update 03/19/13

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 134,000 miles · TX

The wiring harness has deteriorated to where the engine runs lean and dies. The check engine light came on while driving. Once home I checked everything I could until the engine compartment cooled then noticed the wiring on the number 1 cylinder. The more I looked I could see all the injector plugs were deteriorated badly with number 4 being worse. Just touching the harness causes the insulation to flake off and bare wires to be exposed. I purchased a code reader to allow proper indications of what codes were indicated when the check engine light illuminated. Now ford wants me to take the vehicle to a dealer so they can charge me and tell me what I already know and can plainly see!

Filed May 25, 2010 · 91,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated the vehicle repeatedly decelerates and accelerates without warrant. When the air conditioner was being operated, the vehicle would begin to shake violently. It would also take an unusually long time for the air conditioner to engage and would blow only hot air. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.

Filed Mar 6, 2009 · Brakes, Fuel system · 87,000 miles · NC

Could not get an inspection sticker - no mechanic could find out why the check engine will not go off -very costly. It stalls when raining, the passenger door handle does not work, it has to warm up for 5 minutes before it will move, the tail lights came loose, causing melting of housing, every valve imaginable has been replaced, belt squeals when air or defrost turned on.

Filed Nov 3, 2008 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated that there was a bad ground in the main line harness, which caused the electrical system in the vehicle to fail. The vehicle was not included in the recall. The current mileage was 116,000 and failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Dec 28, 2007 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While attempting to shift gears, the gear indicator displayed an inaccurate reading. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 98v233000 (powertrain:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift). The vehicle has not been repaired. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 78,000. Updated 01/29/08 *bf updated 01/29/08

Filed Nov 12, 2007 · Engine · 105,000 miles · TX

Bought a 1997 ford contour and 4 days later the head gasket blew. After being in shop over a month and many other problems repaired I finally got car back and the very next day the head gasket blew again within 2 miles from my house.

Filed Jul 25, 2007 · Brakes · 141,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While the contact applied the brakes at 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle drove uphill and into a parking lot and stopped by emergency brake. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 141,000. Updated 02-01-08 *bf the consumer stated the hydraulic vacuum line was leaking. Updated 02/01/08

Filed Jul 5, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · 90,000 miles · OK

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. The contact stated that the defroster stopped working. The vehicle was serviced for the federal safety agency recall # 01i009000 (visibility:defroster/defogger system:windshield:controls/wiring) in 2001. The instrument panel and tail lights also do not work. The vehicle was serviced for the federal safety agency recall # 99v103000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch) in 1999. The current mileage is 92,794 and failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 02-01-08 *bf updated 02/01/08

Filed Apr 23, 2007 · Brakes · 158,000 miles · WI · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford contour. While driving 25 MPH on 3/19/07 the driver felt something heavy fall on his foot and he began to lose control of the steering wheel. The steering column fell on the brake pedal and he couldn't stop the vehicle. The contact's vehicle crashed into a parked truck. The passenger side air deployed; however, the driver side didn't deploy. Two passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries to their knees and chests. The police officer stated that he never heard of a steering column breaking while driving. The contact stated in the state of wisconsin insurance was not required as she was uninsured. The service mechanic on 01/13/07 stated that the brake failure was due to the brake hose being loose. The failure mileage was with 158,000. The contact doesnt have the current mileage.